10-03-2022, 10:25 AM | #1 |
Active Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Gaithersburg, MD
Posts: 116
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Upper Control Arms
What are you guys doing to replace or rebuild the upper control arms?
It looks like the lowers are not sold new, so they must be rebuilt. How good are the loaded stock replacement uppers? By AC Delco? Moog? Other? |
10-03-2022, 10:43 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Colfax-California
Posts: 8,580
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Re: Upper Control Arms
What's so hard about rebuilding the uppers you have?
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10-04-2022, 02:35 AM | #3 | |
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Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Orlando Florida
Posts: 1,598
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Re: Upper Control Arms
I put a replacement Duralast upper on my 93, it looks almost identical to the old one. I couldn't rebuild the old one because it was damaged. I rebuilt one on my S10, also with Duralast parts.
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10-04-2022, 10:10 AM | #4 |
Active Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Gaithersburg, MD
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Re: Upper Control Arms
I've never rebuilt them myself, but I'm not afraid to try.
Is there a tool that helps? On my pro-touring Malibu I have tubular control arms with a .5" taller upper ball joint. Does anybody run taller upper ball joints on these trucks to improve the factory geometry? Are offset cross shafts helpful? |
10-05-2022, 09:26 AM | #5 | |||
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
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Re: Upper Control Arms
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67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
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10-05-2022, 10:00 AM | #6 |
Active Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Gaithersburg, MD
Posts: 116
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Re: Upper Control Arms
Useful info SCOTI, thanks.
Interesting to learn the truck geometry is different from the A-bodies. I watched a video by Brothers showing removal/install of bushings. Looks like the key is cutting up some exhaust tubing to use as shims to prevent the arms from getting distorted when pressing bushings in and out. Planning to install new rubber. I have delrin in the Malibu but the truck will be a stocker. |
10-05-2022, 01:18 PM | #7 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
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Re: Upper Control Arms
Quote:
The A/G body Malibus have the upper a-arm mount/locating bracket on the top of the rail. C10's have them on the side of the rail. Achieving NEG Camber on A-bodies requires adding shims which pushes the A-arm closer to the engine/exhaust. Achieving NEG Camber on a C10 requires removing shims which brings the A-arm closer to the frame rail. A/G bodies had a ~7.5" stock spindle height. C10's had a ~9" stock spindle height. For era comparison.... Stock F & B body 'tall' spindles were ~ 9". C4 Vettes were ~10+ (11"?).
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67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
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10-07-2022, 01:09 AM | #8 |
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Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Midway USA Kentucky
Posts: 563
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Re: Upper Control Arms
I did my control arms on my Chevelle, if I had to do it again I would PASS, they were kind of a pain to do, even though I had a press at that time.
I am sure the truck ones would be harder to do.
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10-07-2022, 08:53 AM | #9 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
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Re: Upper Control Arms
Quote:
Local places near me wanted $100/arm for labor on a-arms i carried in. I bought an air hammer/chisel & started doing them myself @ night on a cheap hydraulic press we had @ my work. Given the quantity of 'how-to' videos on the internet these days, the tricks & watchouts are usually better understood vs. pre 'www'.
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67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
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10-08-2022, 10:32 AM | #10 |
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Chatt Tn
Posts: 976
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Re: Upper Control Arms
classic industries carries the lowers
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10-08-2022, 11:15 AM | #11 |
Robert Olson Transport
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: recent transplant to NC USA
Posts: 20,300
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Re: Upper Control Arms
the easiest way to do any control arm bushings is to heat the thing up with a torch and beat out the bushings. Meanwhile i tend to throw the new bushings in my freezer overnight so after i pop out the old bushing i can more easily drive the new one in with a BFH
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